Concealed carry regulations vary widely across the country. We are constantly updating this site to keep the information current. To view a states concealed carry permit information click on the state. In 20, illinois became the 50th state to make it legal to carry a concealed firearm in public.
The concealed carry reciprocity act allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun in any other state. Texas gun laws texas concealed carry class and resources. State laws vary with respect to eligibility requirements to obtain a concealed carry permit ccp. Travelers guide to gun laws in the 50 states concealed. This comprehensive app empowers the law abiding ccw concealed or open carry permit holder or anyone who wants to lawfully transport a firearm in any state. For instance, though both hawaii and georgia require licenses.
Not all weapons that fall under ccw laws are lethal. The house bill passed wednesday, 231198, and follows two of the deadliest mass shootings in modern us history. A study shows that when state concealedhandgun laws went into effect in a county, murders fell by about 8%, rapes fell by 5%, and aggravated assaults fell by 7%. From state to state across the nation, varied concealed carry laws that determine the legality of carrying and traveling with a weapon, are about as chaotic as a spinning tornado. Click here for legislative or other important state changes. An individual who is 21 years of age or older may apply for a license to carry firearms by submitting a completed application for a pennsylvania license to carry firearms to the sheriff of the county in which they reside or if a resident of a city of the first class, with the chief of police of that city. This map is a quick way to find out what state concealed carry permits a particular state allows.
Statebystate danger of overriding concealed carry laws. Follow the state law ccw links below or fill out the form to be connected with a certified concealed carry instructor who can explain the concealed carry laws in your state. Well the one thing just really agitates new york city because the new york state and new york city have two different permits. All four books are must have guides that should be read by new or old concealed carry permit holders. Shall issue state law that provides that, upon completion of specified requirements, a lawabiding person shall be granted a permit to carry concealed firearms. More recent legislation has relaxed the laws for transporting other types of firearms, but there is a difference between the laws for handguns and other types of firearms. The effects of shallissue concealedcarry licensing. Travelers guide to the firearm laws of the fifty states print book. Since the 2015 open carry legislation went into effect, what was known as a concealed. In december 2012, a federal circuit court ordered the state of illinois to adopt a law allowing at least some individuals to carry loaded, concealed handguns public places. Concealed carry ccw information about ohio s concealed handgun licensing law. House research department february 1999 the effects of shallissue concealedcarry licensing laws. This chart shows each states standards for who may carry a concealed firearm in public.
Concealedcarry advocates say laws allowing permitholders to keep guns close at hand serve as a crime deterrent. Texas concealed carry laws part 2 dustin aaron december 17, 2012 here you can find the texas department of public safety concealed handgun licensing website page, which discusses how to get licensed, applicable laws, and reciprocity. Each state may have its own name for what is commonly referred to as a concealed carry permit. Federal laws and legislation on carrying concealed firearms. Just click on a state and any states that are blue are allowed within the selected state, red are not allowed, and yellow means only residents of that state that have permits are allowed. This does not imply that you have a carry permit for this state. Carrying firearms in pennsylvania pennsylvania state police. Arizona weapons and firearms laws faqs city of phoenix. Unlike kansas, which has a statewide enforcement of fullylegal open carry, missouri does not have a statewide statute, so certain areas may have more stringent restrictions on open carry. Concealed carry law handbook illinois concealed carry. The legal boundaries by state book is an impressive reference guide for relevant gun laws for todays traveling gun owner. The concealed carry laws of some states are similar or even the same as others.
The adoption of such rules is largely left to the states. This us map uses internal hotlinks to the state information for each of the states in the united states and its possessions. The book is currently in its 21st edition with over 1,000,000 copies sold since the first edition was published in 1996. The state s color represents whether a state is shall issue, may issue, constitutional carry or right denied we explain each state s status below. This edition covers changes made in ohio house bill 228, which took effect on march 28, 2019. An overview congressional research service summary whether an individual is permitted to carry a concealed firearm is a matter traditionally regulated by the states. Further, customers get ongoing nocost access to the most updated version of the ebook which is a significant value. Federal gun laws do not prohibit or require the carrying of concealed weapons by private citizens, nor provide rules for concealed weapons permits or licenses by private citizens. I should be able to carry my concealed gun across all. To view a state s concealed carry permit information click on the state.
Concealed carry, or carrying a concealed weapon ccw, is the practice of carrying a weapon such as a handgun in public in a concealed manner, either on ones person or in close proximity. You may not carry into a premise that has a liquor license and derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for. Out of those 800 only about 90 had their laws listed online. Where am i prohibited from carrying a firearm open or concealed on the. Out of the 90 i checked the ones that specifically mentioned carrying with a state permit or seem to say a state permit is valid are listed below. Have questions about concealed carry laws in the state. Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the recognition of the right of concealed carry, with it now being legal in all 50 states. However, the laws that govern it vary dramatically from state to state. The bill says the person must be eligible to possess a gun under federal law. Scott kappas uses case law and statutory authority to render plain english advice as to how a traveler should carry firearms while visiting the many states of our great nation. House panel approves law that will allow firearmsowners to cross any state line with a hidden weapon. The restrictiveness of individual opencarry laws varies greatly by state. Scroll through the gallery above to learn about the concealed carry gun laws in your state. View profile view forum posts private message grand member join date may 2006 location pennsylvania.
To see what the concealed carry law looks like in your state, visit the law center to. Get familiarized with concealed carry laws by clicking on the state of your choice. Federal laws and legislation on carrying concealed. Just about every week, you hear that state a has added state b to the list of issuing authorities whose gun carry permits theyll recognize, while state c has announced that it will no longer be reciprocal with state d. Check your concealed carry permit s reciprocity and learn about every state s concealed carry and gun laws. In the united states, open carry refers to the practice of openly carrying a firearm in. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, but reciprocity and recognition agreements are. This book is a mustread for anyone looking to carry a concealed weapon. Legal boundaries by state book concealed carry inc. As a result, on july 9, 20, illinois became the last state in the nation to pass a concealed carry law while the new concealed carry law is very clear as to the requirements of gun owners. The ohio attorney general offers materials explaining many portions of ohio s concealed handgun licensing law, including publications, resources, forms and reference materials.
Concealed carry ccw official website of the state of ohio. Licenses to carry concealed handguns are an important part of the responsible exercise of that right. This book covers concealed carry laws nationwide, highlighting common points of law for each state and the district of columbia, such that a reader should clearly understand how each jurisdiction. A concealed carry permit may not play a part in conferring the right to carry concealed weapons in this way in some cases, however, as could mean either that concealed weapons are not allowed at all in the state or that concealed weapons can be carried without any particular legal oversight from state law enforcement or government. What the new concealed carry gun law could mean for nyc. Tell us which states you have concealed carry permits in and well tell you which states honor your permits. Get ready for concealed guns in all 50 states bloomberg. It gives you direct information needed to follow the maze of arcane, complicated, and dissimilar gun laws in each state and in each situation. States that have more relaxed criteria for allowing residents to carry concealed handguns have a higher rate of gun deaths than states with stricter requirements, according to a study released. However, missouris state laws do say that a valid concealed carry license automatically grants the holder the ability to carry the weapon openly.
As ohios attorney general, i am pleased to bring you this updated summary of our state s concealed carry laws. Best states for concealed carry ranked worst to first. Charting the concealed carry laws for all 50 states plus washington, d. Session, 2019 relating to carrying a handgun during a state of. North carolina gun laws state that you must inform a law enforcement officer you have a firearm when approached on official business. Concealed carry permit information by state updated mar. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. Where federal, state or local laws prohibit weapons peace officers are limited. States with looser concealed carry laws have more gun. Open carry attorney in kansas missouri open carry laws.
The below list of state statutes are listed to serve as a resource to those looking to research and understand florida state firearm law. Possession of firearms in state wildlife refuge areas. Tribal law and concealed carry there were about 800 native american tribes listed when i started searching. While all 50 states allow the concealed carry of firearms, standards for carrying vary dramatically across the country. Concealed carry gun laws by state personal defense world. For example, in florida, carrying pepper spray in more than a specified volume 2 oz. Alaska, arizona, kansas, maine, mississippi, missouri, new hampshire, vermont and west virginia generally do not require a permit or license to carry a handgun openly or concealed by any person who may lawfully possess a. Both pro and antigun control advocates are unhappy with a bill the us house passed to allow permitted gun owners to carry concealed handguns across state lines and also enhances the national background check system. In the states that have no open carry law you will often find that the local authorities have ordinances in place to regulate the open carrying of firearms. You are required to carry your permit at all times during which the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed handgun. The states color represents whether a state is shall issue, may issue, constitutional carry or right denied we explain each states status below. Information and news regarding the united states federal and state gun laws.